Chuck Peterson

Chuck Peterson is an obscure trumpeter from the swing era who was most notable for being the trumpeter trading off with Ziggy Elman on Tommy Dorsey's famous 1942 record "Well Git It." After playing French horn and trombone while in high school, Peterson switched to trumpet. He worked locally, was in Hank Biagini's band and then was part of the Artie Shaw Orchestra (1937-39), where he occasionally soloed. Peterson was with the orchestras of Tony Pastor, Tommy Dorsey (off and on during 1939-42) and Woody Herman. After serving in the military, Peterson settled in his native Detroit. Although he recorded with Woody Herman's First Herd in 1946 and Benny Carter in 1949, Peterson (who never led his own record date) preferred to have a secure life at home and he is largely forgotten today.